Japanese Skier Wins Silver After Backward Finish at Winter Olympics

Ikuma Horishima overcame a mid-race crash to cross the finish line backward and claim second place in the men's dual moguls event.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Japanese freestyle skier Ikuma Horishima won a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina after completing part of his run in the men's dual moguls event facing backward. Horishima, 28, was competing against Team USA's Nick Page in the 1/8 finals when Page went off course briefly, leading to his disqualification. Horishima then crashed on his hips but recovered mid-air to finish the race, crossing the line backward. Despite the unorthodox finish, Horishima was awarded all 35 points and went on to reach the final, where he lost to Canada's Michael Kingsbury but still claimed the silver medal.

Why it matters

Horishima's backward finish was one of the most memorable and viral moments of the 2026 Winter Olympics, showcasing the incredible athleticism and determination of the Japanese skier. His performance highlighted the unpredictable nature of freestyle skiing events and the ability of athletes to overcome adversity and unexpected challenges on the course.

The details

In the 1/8 finals of the men's dual moguls event, Horishima was competing against Team USA's Nick Page. Page suffered from too much speed early on and went off course briefly, leading to his disqualification. Horishima then crashed on his hips but miraculously recovered mid-air to finish the race, crossing the line backward. Despite the unorthodox finish, Horishima was awarded all 35 points and went on to beat Team USA's Dylan Walczyk in the quarterfinals and Australia's Matt Graham in the semifinals before losing to Canada's Michael Kingsbury in the big final.

  • Horishima competed in the 1/8 finals on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • Horishima won the silver medal on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Ikuma Horishima

A 28-year-old Japanese freestyle skier who won a silver medal in the men's dual moguls event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.

Nick Page

A 23-year-old American freestyle skier who was disqualified in the 1/8 finals of the men's dual moguls event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Dylan Walczyk

An American freestyle skier who Horishima defeated in the quarterfinals of the men's dual moguls event.

Matt Graham

An Australian freestyle skier who Horishima defeated in the semifinals of the men's dual moguls event.

Michael Kingsbury

A Canadian freestyle skier who defeated Horishima in the big final of the men's dual moguls event to win the gold medal.

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What they’re saying

“Oh my god.”

— Hannah Kearney, NBC commentator and 2010 Olympic gold medalist in moguls (NBC)

“The course was icy, and the rhythm of the bumps was not consistent. Usually, when I feel good, the rhythm is very consistent, and it's easy for me to go faster. But when here, sometimes it's a bigger bump and then a smaller bump. It's hard to remember every bump. My confidence level was low.”

— Ikuma Horishima (nbcsandiego.com)

The takeaway

Ikuma Horishima's remarkable silver medal performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which included a stunning backward finish, showcased the incredible athleticism and resilience of freestyle skiers. His ability to overcome adversity and unexpected challenges on the course underscores the unpredictable nature of these events and the determination of the world's top winter sports athletes.